Day 30: The Cost of Faith

Acts 7, 8, 9

What exactly is the price I need to pay?  The price is priceless – its believing and trusting, even if you may not understand.  how can you put a price on that?  As Acts covers the beginning of the apostles and spreading to the surrounding areas, God’s great news – you encounter reading about those who enthusiastically accepted as well as those who persecuted.  Read these chapters for an idea of the acceptance as well as the opposition.

Dear Lord, while I wonder if I’d be able to withstand the persecution that Stephen endured, what I do know is that I believe in you.  Maybe I have questions because my mind seeks to understand what is not needed to understand.  Help me to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that I may be able to continue down this path of being chosen. Thank you for this magnificent gift that you have bestowed on us and for the sacrifice that you made. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 29: Boldness

Acts 4, 5, 6

As believers, persecution is expected.  How do you get past something like this?  I’ve always felt that I was never versed enough to speak on behalf of my faith, which I am now finally accepting by immersing myself into the Word.  As I read Acts, chapter 5, I was impressed by the boldness displayed by Peter and the other apostles when they were being  persecuted.

²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! ³⁰The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. ³²We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:29-32

I was even more surprised with the boldness of the Pharisee Gamaliel.

³⁸Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

Dear Lord, I ask that as I develop a closer relationship to you, that I am able to boldly declare your ministry.  How true is what Gamaliel said about fighting against your will.  Please allow these words to resonate deeply within my heart in order to make me a bolder believer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.